Here is the link: https://static.clubhouse.scottishgolf.org/clubs/1000/uploads/files_and_docs/2024%20whs%20system%20update.pdf
There are no details yet on the ‘standardisation of par’. However, since the par on a hole is important in the calculation of adjusted gross and scaling up scores, it is essential that all clubs follow the same rules (i.e. no club discretion on a hole that falls below the minimum distance for a certain par),
The new standardisation of par may enforce the following, as this is how other golf authorities have implemented it:
This may leave us in something of a quandary when the course is rated, since the 7th hole is 238 yards from tee to green (a par 3 is never measured as a dogleg). This falls below the minimum distance required for a par 4.
For a scratch golfer, it’s not a hard par 3 (slightly downhill, no trouble round the green), but obviously for those who don’t hit the ball the distance of a scratch golfer, it is unreachable in one shot. The committee will discuss solutions to this in due course.
Presumably, the Club will still be able to choose the par for a hole that falls within the set distances. For example, while we may not be able to choose par if the hole is 238y (par 3) we may be able to choose the par if the distance is between 240 and 260y (par 3 or 4). This applies on the 4th, which could either be par 4 or par 5. It depends on how Standardisation of Par is implemented by Scottish Golf.
Our simplest solution is probably to move the 7th tee back 10 yards to avoid any issues. Or to build a new tee further back.
It’s worth noting that par has no effect on scoring. In stroke play, total shots count. In stableford, all shots are still received, though the specific holes where they are received would vary. Handicap golfers, of course, get shots to make up for distance — so-called ‘regulation’ on a par 4 for a scratch golfer is 2 shots, but for an 18 handicapper it is 3 shots.
Our handicaps are calculated based on Course Rating, not par, which in our case is 69.2 for men (not far off par, in fact, if 4 was par 4 and 7 was par 3 (70)). When the course is rated, I would expect our CR to go up to 70-71, but that remains to be seen.
Our winter course will hopefully be rated at the same time.
JH